Tiny Scholars

Originally printed in the August 2007 issue of the Natomas Journal. Please contact Elizabeth Wilson for an original copy.

When you head toward the front door of Tiny Scholars Academy, the first thing you notice is a miniature lemonade stand, perfectly sized for a few preschoolers just waiting to start a lucrative summertime business with satisfied imaginary customers.

Upon meeting the school’s owners, April Macklin and Linda Wooley, you quickly realize this opportunity for imagination and exploration reach far into every corner of Tiny Scholars’ Natomas location.

Wooley has been in the preschool business for 18 years following a career as a Child Protective Services worker for Yolo County. Her enthusiasm toward her job is apparent in the way her face light up when she talks about the little ones she encounters on a daily basis.

“I am one of the people who loves getting up everyday and coming to my job,” she says when asked about her career choice and the way the children reward her emotionally and spiritually, “I feel like I’m filthy rich.”

Macklin has been in childcare for almost 11 years, and was inspired to work with children after her own 1st grade teacher went the extra distance to reach out to her. As a child who was not educationally stimulated at home and did not attend Kindergarten, going to first grade was a daunting task for Macklin,“I went straight to first grade and was called retarded and remedial…I didn’t know my ABCs.”

When her teacher pushed her to reach her potential, she thrived off of this personally directed motivation. In the end, she excelled and credits it to that one individual who was not afraid to take her “special shadow” away and push her further than anyone else would.

Tiny Scholars’ philosophy is to meet children where they are. Does your 3-year-old love dinosaurs? You better believe Macklin and Wooley will design an entire curriculum from art to math & sciences based on dinosaurs.

“We believe in teaching the whole child,” they say, “there are different ways to learn…there is nothing a child cannot achieve when they are given the right tools.”

Those enrolled enjoy electives such as Spanish, music, art, and Sign Language. They also learn things more memorable, such as the importance of the environment. Wooley and Macklin share one story about a 2 and a half-year-old who participated in an energy conservation lesson. The child is now 18 and attending Chico State. He recently shared with Wooley how memorable his preschool experience was and how he has encouraged others to have such an awareness of life as well.

Tiny Scholars is new to Natomas, as the two women recently acquired their new location in July. They are working toward accreditation and have openings available for more children. They encourage interested families to call and come visit their facility.